DLNR NEWS RELEASE UPDATE: DLNR to Close Areas for Arrival of Hurricane Madeline

HONOLULU — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has closed all state forest and park areas on the islands of Hawaii with the arrival of Hurricane Madelines Madeline and Lester.

DLNR is asking for the public’s cooperation with this announcement of area closures as the storm approaches. Additional closures may follow over the weekend, and updates will be provided to news media and on the department’s website.

People are advised to avoid forested and coastal areas due to potential for rising streams, flash flooding, falling trees or high surf as well as ocean water surging and sweeping across beaches and rocky coastal benches and lava flows. Roads and trails may become impassable with falling trees, landslides, and floods. High surf may impact coastal properties and infrastructure, including roadways. Powerful longshore and rip currents will be present at most beaches.

UPDATED DLNR areas closed as of today, Wednesday, August 31, 2016:

HAWAII ISLAND – All State government offices on Hawaii Island are closed today.

Division of Forestry and Wildlife – all state forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, natural area reserves, Na Ala Hele hiking trails, forest campgrounds and game management areas, including Keanakolu cabins, Ainapo hiking trail, Muliwai trail and Waimanu valley campground ARE CLOSED until further notice. Camping permits for this weekend are cancelled until further notice.

Division of State Parks – All Big Island State Parks ARE CLOSED today, including park campgrounds, pavilions, and cabins. These areas will not re-open until storm assessments are conducted and the conditions are determined safe enough for reopening.

Commercial tour vessels and recreational vessels that use Kealakekua Bay are advised to cancel tours and stay out of the Bay – unless vessel captains need to use the bay as a safe harbor for the vessel if they are caught at sea in the storm.

Persons holding camping and cabin permits are being notified by staff, and offered a refund or an alternate date. Those with reservations on following days should check on park status with the Hawaii State Parks office or on the Hawaii State Parks website at http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/

MAUI COUNTY –

Division of Forestry and Wildlife will CLOSE AT NOON all of its managed lands, including forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, natural area reserves, Na Ala Hele hiking trails, game management areas.

Division of State Parks – Polipoli State Park will CLOSE AT NOON. All other Maui State Parks will remain open on Wednesday, and based on continuing storm assessments, may face possible closure on Thursday.

Other DLNR areas:

OAHU –
Forestry and Wildlife and State Parks – No closures at this time. Storm conditions will be monitored and closures will be announced as required.

KAUAI –
Forestry and Wildlife and State Parks (and Kalalau trail) — No closures at this time. Storm conditions will be monitored and closures will be announced as required.